Talented singer Ciara Cronin hopes to be on her way to fame and fortune next week.

Ciara Cronin

Ciara, 12, of Blenheim Drive, Bicester, has been busy rehearsing for a London talent show after beating hundreds of rivals at auditions. She will be the only child performer.

Ciara said: "I am really excited about the show. I will be singing Over the Rainbow, the Judy Garland song, but in the style of Eve Cassidy.

"When I was at Brookside Primary School in Bicester my headteacher, Kathy Woods, spotted my talent and suggested I took voice training and tried talent shows. My ambition is to become a pop star."

Ciara goes to Bicester Community College, Queen's Avenue, Bicester.

Her mother, Kate, said: "For her to be noticed among all those adults is a real achievement."

The auditions were filmed for the children's news programme Newsround and Ciara was interviewed.

Mrs Cronin said: "Four hundred people sent demo tapes in and Ciara got down to the last 20, then the last seven.

"Hopefully, someone will notice her and give her a recording contract or see her potential for a singing career."

Ciara recently sang at a show at Bicester Ex-Services' Club in Sheep Club in aid of Bicester Community Hospital.

Last July, she appeared at the London Palladium in an amateur variety show.

Ciara is hoping to get her big break on Monday, May 27, when she takes part in Talent Party at the Sound Bar in Leicester Square, London.